A Simulation of Hearing Distressing Voices brought to you by the PA Behavioral Health and Aging Coalition

In this 3-hour workshop, participants will listen to a recorded lecture by Pat Deegan, Ph.D. about the voice hearing experience, will use headphones to listen to a specially designed audiotape that simulates the experience of hearing voices that are distressing, and will participate in a discussion/debriefing after the simulation. We will then review the research literature on voice hearing, review a number of self-help strategies and make suggestions for working with people who hear distressing voices. Through the simulation experience participants will increase their understanding of the lived-experience of psychiatric disability and increase empathy for those who struggle with it.

Note: This training is intended for non-voice hearers. Others will be encouraged to participate in the training, however during the simulation experience will be asked to do so without the sound.